The heat was on for four talented local chefs this week who competed in a Masterchef-style cook-off judged by celebrity chef Glynn Purnell and Andreas Antona, the owner of The Cross in Kenilworth.

Baabzi Miah from Baabzi's in Warwick and George Cambridge from Warwick Street Kitchen in Leamington, were joined by Jay Alam of Turmeric Gold in Coventry and Tobias Reutt of Earlsdon Supper Club to decide who would be crowned the Chef/Cook of the Year in the inaugural Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards.

Competition hotted up in the cookery school kitchen at The Farm in Stratford, on Tuesday, (July 13) when the finalists were each invited to showcase a favourite signature dish, ahead of the final ceremony next week.

'Yummy Brummie' Glynn Purnell was joined by his former employer Andreas Antona, owner of The Cross in Kenilworth, to preside over the chefs who were tasked with producing an award-worthy dish in less than an hour.

Following the cook-off, Purnell, who has announced plans to open a new restaurant in Coventry next year, said: "It's great to be here to see some excellent cooks. The dishes showcased some different styles of food and cooking which is always interesting and is what reflects the food culture of this area.

"We've had some interesting flavours and great techniques and for the first of these awards, for these guys to come and cook in these conditions has been tremendous. Well done to everyone and good luck to the Foodie Awards."

Andreas Antona added: "It's exciting to be involved with the first Foodie Awards in Warwickshire and I'd love to see this grow. It's something that the area and the industry needs, especially going forwards in the post-Covid world."

The chosen chef will be among all the winners being announced at a ceremony at The Box at FarGo Village in Coventry, on July 22nd where money will also be raised for The Trussell Trust network of eight food banks in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Foodie Awards 2021, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Visit Coventry, was established to recognise an array of food and drink businesses from producers to chefs, street food traders, restaurants and bars.

George Cambridge cooked his signature dish – Warwick Street Kitchen's take on shakshuka, with smoked feta, Dukkah, Ras el Hanout oil and garlic butter flatbread.

He said after the contest: "I chose this dish because it was on the first menu I ever wrote at Warwick Street Kitchen and I've been developing it ever since. When the country went into lockdown I adapted it into an at-home kit; it's really a dish that has grown as the business has grown. It was the clear choice for my signature dish."

Baabzi Miah, of Baabzi's in Warwick, made Fish Haryal with pilau rice, his grandfather's recipe and one which is close to his heart.